A review by kareenadeah
Girl A by Abigail Dean

slow-paced

2.0

I decided to read this book after seeing it heavily promoted on TikTok and Instagram. Unfortunately, its execution left much to be desired. 

The novel frequently jumps timelines, often every other paragraph, leading to confusion about whether events are set in the present or past. This disjointed approach requires frequent re-reading to understand the narrative and identify the speakers, which becomes quite frustrating. 

The references to “mother” and “mother” are ambiguous—are these referring to adopted parents or biological mother? The lack of clarity extends to the characters, making them difficult to connect with as the story lacks depth and direction. The exploration of the children’s recovery from abuse feels scattered and vague, with significant parts left unexplained, reducing the potential for empathy and connection. 

The book is not a thriller and is slow-paced, focusing more on character analysis than plot development. Key questions about the origin of the abuse, why it went unnoticed, and why some children were not restrained are left unanswered. The boys’ involvement and the dynamics between characters such as Lex and Noah remain unclear. 

Despite its potential to address a sensitive topic, the book falls short, delivering a narrative that feels more like a character study rather than an engaging story. The twist at the end is predictable, and unresolved questions about Ethan’s involvement in the abuse further detract from the story’s impact. 

Overall, I found it less compelling than expected and only skimmed through the latter parts